Instrument board lighter

ABSTRACT

An instrument board lighter for use by automobile passengers, having a sliding cylinder adapted for insertion into a cylinder socket fixed on the instrument board of an automobile. The said sliding cylinder has a through hole for insertion of a cigarette formed in the axial direction thereof and, at the same time, a heater for direct contact with the forward end of the cigarette provided at the inserting end of the sliding cylinder. The said cylinder socket is provided with bimetallic leaf springs for holding said sliding cylinder and supplying electric current to the heater, while the said sliding cylinder is fitted with resilient springs constantly exerting a force in the direction of keeping the said sliding cylinder away from the said leaf springs.

United States Patent Ohinata [54] INSTRUMENT BOARD LIGHTER [72] Inventor: Sadnhlro l-ligashiyurimura, Japan [73] Assignee: Show. run (20., Ltd.', Tokyo, Japan [22] Filed: My 13, 1970 [2]] Appl. No.: 54,455

[521 u.s.cr. ..2l9l265,2l9/26l,2l9/267 51 mm ..F23q7/22 [5s] fleldofsearch ..219/260-276 [56] mm cm UNITED STATES PATENTS 8/ l 945 6/195 1 9/ l 959 5/ l 964- 8/1969 1 Feb. 15, 1972 Primary Examiner-Volodymyr Y. Mayewsky Attorney-McGlew and Toren [57] ABSTRACT An instrument board lighter for use by automobile passengers, having a sliding cylinder adapted for insertion into a cylinder socket fixed on the instrument board of an automobile. The said sliding cylinder has a through hole for insertion. of a cigarette formed in the axial direction thereof and, at the same time, a heater for direct contact with the forward end of the cigarette provided'at the inserting end of the sliding cylinder.

The said cylinder socket is provided with bimetallic leaf springs for holding said sliding cylinder and supplying electric current to the heater,- while the said sliding cylinder is fitted with resilient springs constantly exerting a force in the direction of keeping the said sliding cylinder away from the said leaf springs.

1 Claims, 13 Drawing Figures BACKGROUND or "run mvErmou The conventional instrument board lighter for use by automobile passengers has been constructed as follows:

An aperture is formed in advance in the instrument board, a panel extending across an automobile below the windshield for containing various instruments, and a cylinder socket is fixed in that aperture. The, said cylinder socket is composed of a metallic bottomedcylinder having an opening end in the plane of the instrument board, bimetallic leaf springs fixed at the bottom surface of the cylinder so as to be insulated from the cylinder and curvedin the shape of C so as to grip, from both sides, a heater to be inserted into the cylinder interior, and a connection plug serving to establish a connection between the said leaf springs and a battery. The said heater is fixed at the forward end of-a handle which is extractably inserte'd inside the said cylinder socket, and the heater is so designed that it will be gripped by the said leaf springs and consequently energized when the handle is pushed further into the cylinder socket from the inserted position. On the said handle are provided resilient springs which constantly exert force in thedirection of expelling the handle from the cylinder ticket, whereby the-said heater can be-removed at any time rom the bimetallic leaf springs. Such is theconstruction of the onventional instrument board lighter. When the handle is ushed in inside the cylinder socket, the heater is gripped by he bimetallic leaf springs a'ndconsequently energized to generate heat. As the heater generates heat, the heat causes the bimetallic leaf springs to. open to release the heater. As the heater is released, thehandle is expelled by the resilient springs. Thus, the handle isthrust forwardfrom the plane of the instrument board.

For the purpose of lighting a cigarette by using this lighter, therefore, it has been necessary to remove from the cylinder socket the handle which is already in the protrudingstate and then apply the hot heater atthe forwardend of the handle to the tip of the cigarette heldfrom the lips.

Consequently, the conventional lighter has, sufl'ered from the following disadvantages:

Since-the, cigarette has. a-small tip, considerable; amount of concentratedattention has to. be giventoapplyingtheheater to the 'c igarette tip. 'Ihisdeprives the. automobile driver of his:

attention which is otherwise. focusedifully on the automobile operation". After the cigarette has been lit,.thehandle must bereturned to thecylinder socket. Again thedriver must spare some of his attentionfor locating the cylinder socket, because the socket has a small diameter.

, During-the brief-period of this, location, steamers line of so vision deviates fromythe course of travel to,;the cylinder socket, exposing.the..driver=to. thedanger of blind automobile operation. I

While the'handle, is removed 1 from thecylinder. socket, applied to the cigarettetip, for lighting: the cigarette and then returnedto thecylinder socket,- the driver is compelledto hold. the steering wheel with'bnly one of his hands. Thus,- there is a possibility that'the, driver will. fail'to. cope withadangerous situation which-might occurall of a sudden.

Thepresent invention-aims to provide an instrument board. 'lighter for use by automobile passengers, which is so constructed as to enable a cigaretteto belit inside the;cylinder' socket, whereby the heater canbe used without being withdrawn from the cylindersocket.-

I SUMMARY An instrument board lighter for use-by automobile passengers, comprising a cylinder socket andaslidingpylinder, the.

said cylinder socket comprising, a, metallic-cylinderhavingan opening at one end and an insulatingbaseat the other end, abimetallic leaf springdisposedion the said insulatingbase and insulated from-thecylinderand having a plurality of opposed free leaves protruding therefrom toward the opening in the said cylinder, the said free leaves beingsobent that they .will. 75

' 2 have their distance expanded upon application of heat, and a connection means for connecting the said. leaf spring to a power source, and the said sliding cylinder comprising, a handle having a through hole providedat the center thereof for permitting insertion of a cigarette, a heat generator disposed to the anterior of the through-hole of the. said handle so as to light the tip of the cigaretteinserted into the saidthrough hole, fonned in a shape such as to be seized. by the'leaf spring of the said cylinder socket and incorporating therein a heater wire so adapted as to generate heat by using the electric current received from the said leaf spring when the heat generator is seized by the said leaf spring, a retaining cylinder adapted to hold the said handle slidably and to be lodged in the cylinder I socket, and a spring attached to the said retaining cylinder in such way as to keep the said handle ready at all times to be thrust toward the external portion of thecylinder thereby enabling the said heat generator fixed immovably on the ban-- BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING the state inserted in the cylinder socket, with the upper half portions cut away-to show the interior.

FIG. 4 is a partially cutaway top view of the sliding cylinder in the state inserted in the cylinder socket as illustrated in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a side view of another preferred embodiment of the lighter of the present invention. g

FIG. 6 is an-exploded side view of the sliding cylinder illustrated inFIG. 5, with the upper half portion of each component cut away to show the interior.

FIG. 7 is a front view of the sliding cylinder illustrated in FIG. 6. I I

FIG. 8 is-a plan view illustrating thesliding cylinder of FIG. 5 inthe stateinserted in the cylinder socket, with the right half portion cut away to show the interior.

FIG. 9 is a partially cutaway plan view illustrating the sliding cylinder of FIG. 8- in the state pushed'in inside the cylinder socket. I

bodiment of thelighter of the present invention.

FIG. llis an exploded side view of the sliding cylinder of FIG. 10, with the lower half portion of each component cut away to show the interior.

FIG. 12 is a partially cutaway plan view illustrating the sliding cylinder of FIG. 10. in the state inserted in the cylinder socket.

FIG. 13 is a partially cutaway plan view illustrating the sliding cylinder of FIG. 12in the state pushed in inside the cylinder socket.

FIG. 10 is a side-view illustrating a still other'preferred ent- DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In FIG. I? through FIG. 4, incl., there are illustrated a cylinder socket l0 and .a sliding cylinder 20 which is inserted in the cylinder socket.

The said cylinder socket l0'comprises a metallic cylinder I I having an openingat one end thereof and a catching rim Ila formed at the periphery of the opening, an insulating base 11 fastenedto the other end of the said cylinder 11 and forming the bottom plane thereof, bimetallic leaf springs l3'fixedon theintemal surface of the said. insulatingbase I2, and such connecting means. as a connection lead wire 'ora connection plug which is sent through the'center of the said insulating base .12 and connected to the said leaf springs l3'and, at the -same.-time-, made to extrude out of the baseJZ-to establish T connection with the anode of a battery which is not illustrated.

. 3 I The said cylinder 11 has a helical thread 11b fonned at the base 12 fixed there on. On the lateral sides, the cylinder 11 has windows 11c and 11c for exposing the leaf springs 13 formed in opposite relationship so as to enable the said leaf springs to move freely. On the windows, leaf springs 11d and 11d are formed in opposite relationship so as to exert pressure on the said sliding cylinder 20 and hold it fast inside the cylinder interior at the time of in section thereof.

The said insulating base 12 may be fixed in tight contact with the cylinder 11 as shown in FlG. 3 where the said cylinder has no bottom plane. Where the cylinder has a bottom plane fon'ned thereon, the insulating base 12 may be fixed directly onto'the bottom plane.

1n the case of the cylinder possessed of the bottom plane, consideration must be paid to ensuring perfect insulation of the cylinder '11 from a plug 14 which is inserted through the bottom plane of thecylinder. I

The said leaf springs 13 made of bimetal are so constructed that at least two free leaves 130 and 13a protrude in opposite directions through the openings of the cylinder and these freeleaves incline mutually inwardly when at normal temperature and, when heated, incline. mutually outwardly. To permit these incliningmotions, the free leaves 130 and 130' are exposed through the windows 11c and 110' respectively, of the said cylinder '11 as illustrated.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the said cylinder socket is inserted in an aperture formed'p'enetratingly on the supporting wall W such as of an instrument board in an automobile and fastened so that the catching rim 11a of the cylinder 11 gets firm hold of the aperture. Then, a stationary cylinder P having a helical thread formed in theintemal wall thereof is joined with the said cylinder 11 by screwing the said helical thread over the helical thread 11b of the said cylinder 11. Further, the stationary cylinder P is advanced until the forward end thereof is brought into tight contact with the rear surface of the supporting wall W and then it is fastened.

In this respect, the said cylinder socket 10 and the means of fixing thereof are the same as the conventional lighter.

The said sliding cylinder comprises an insulative handle 21 having a through hole 210 provided in the axial direction at the center thereof, a hollow, long' metallic innercylinder 22 fitted at the forward end of .the said handle and fastened thereto by means of a screw 21b, a metallic disk 23 as a heat generator having a diameter larger than the diameter at the aperture of the said inner cylinder and fixed immovably at the forward end of the said inner cylinder so as to provide insulation 231: from the inner cylinder and conceal the opening of the inner cylinder and, at the same time, encasing therein a heater wire 230 such. as of nichrome having one end connected to .the disk and the other end to the inner cylinder respectively, a metallic outer cylinder 24 having the forward edge being laid over the outer surface of the said inner cylinder 22 while keeping direct contact with the insulated rear surface 23b of the said diskand, at the same time, having 4 simultaneously fixed on the said handle 21 in such manner external surface of the posterior portion having the insulating thatit will compress-the said coil spring 26 and advance the said outer cylinder 24 when'the handle is pushed in inside the cylinder socket 10 or it will receive the resilient force of the coil spring 26'andcause the handle 21 to move back in the direction protruding from the cylinder socket 10 when the handle 21 is released, and a smoke outlet 28 formed of an orifice 28a bored at the disk-attached end of the said inner cylinder .22 and an orifice 28b bored to the'posterior of the catching rim 24a of the said outer cylinder 24 so as to enable 7 the smoke occurring inside the inner cylinder 22 to escape a catching rim 24a formed protrudingly in the peripheral direction on the outer peripheral surface thereof, a metallic retaining cylinder 25 adapted to be put on the outer surface of the outer cylinder 24 mutually slidably with the outer cylinder while allowing the forward edge thereof to be brought into contact with the catching rim 24a of the said outer cylinder 24, having an outwardly bent catching rim 25a formed around the periphery at-the posterior opening thereof, said catching rim 25a being so designed at to enable the retaining cylinder 25 to be fastened at the opened end of the said cylinder socket l0, and having the outer surface thereof provided with a suitable number of leaf springs 25b gradually raised outwardly so as to provide a pressed contact with the inner wall of the cylinder socket 10, a coil spring 26 interposed between the said retaining cylinder 25 and the said outer cylinder 24 while having the forward end thereof fastened onto the inner surface at the forward end of the retaining cylinder 25 and wound around the outer cylinder 24, a collar 27 inserted slidably in the opening into the cylinder socket" 10. In the diagram, numeral '29 denotes a plurality of projections formed protrudinglyjon the anterior edge of the retaining cylinder 25. These projections are held in contact with therear surface of the catching rim 24a of the cylinder 24 to serve as stoppers and, at the same time, they are constantly held in contact with the outer surface of the outer cylinder 24 so as to establish electrical connection between the outer cylinder and the retaining cylinder.

The electrical connection between the outer'cylinder and the retaining cylinder may be established by making the said coil spring and the said collar with a metal so as to form a path lodged in the cylinder socket in a manner precluding" ready separation. When the sliding cylinder 20 is inserted in the cylinder socket 10 in this manner, the retaining cylinder 25 is fixed in position as illustrated in FIG. 3. Accordingly, the coil spring 26 expels the collar 21 and, consequently, the handle 21 is caused to protrude out of the cylinder socket and retained in that state.

As a result," the sliding portion composed of the inner cylinder 22 connected to the handle 21 and the outer cylinder 24 attached to the disk 23 of the inner cylinder is simultaneously caused to move back together with the handle 21. Thus, the disk 23 is separated from the leaf springs 13 of the cylinder socket l0.

Then, a cigarette C is inserted into the through hole 21a in the handle 21 of the sliding cylinder 20 so that the forward end thereof comes into contact with the'heater wire 23 a of the disk 23 and, thereafter, the handle 21 is pushed in. Thehandle now enters further into the cylinder socket 10 while overcoming the force exerted by the coil spring 26.

As the handle 21 thus advances, the outer cylinder 24 is pushed by the collar 27 and caused to advance in the direction of the depth of the cylinder socket 10. The advancement of the outer cylinder and the handle causes the inner cylinder 22 also to advance.

As the inner cylinder 22 advances, the orifice 28b for discharging smoke is exposed out of the retaining cylinder 25 and the disk 23 at the forward end of the inner cylinder is seized by the free leaves and 13a of the leaf spring 13 made of bimetal. Consequently, the sliding portion composed of the inner cylinder 22 and the outer cylinder 24 as well as the handle 21 is stopped at the forward position as illustrated in FIG.

4 4 and, at the same time, electric current is supplied through the bimetallic leaf springs 13 to the heater wire 23a. I

Once this condition is assumed, therefore, the sliding portion continues to be stopped by the leaf-springs 13 even when the handle 21 is released of hold. 1n the meantime, the electric current to the heater wire flows via theinner cylinder-22, the outer cylinder 24 and the retaining cylinder 25 to the cylinder '11 of the cylinder socket 10 and then grounded fromv the cylinder 11. The heater wire is thus caused to generate heat.

As the heater wire generates heat, the cigarette is lit. The smoke emitted consequently is discharged through the orifices 28a of the inner cylinder 22 and the orifice 28b of the outer cylinder 24 into the cylinder socket l interior, and subsequently released through the windows 11c and 110' opened in the cylinder 11.

As some time passes after the cigarette has been lit, the bimetallic leaf springs 13 are heated and, as a consequence, the free leaves 13a and 13a of the leaf spring are turned outwardly. When the free leaves 130 and l3a' have their distance increased thereby, the disk 23 is released of the seizure by the leaf springs 13. 7

As the disk 23 isreleased from the leaf springs 13, the coil spring 26 of the sliding cylinder 20 is released of compression and, consequently, the collar 27 is caused to move back by the force of the coil spring 20. Accordingly, the handle 21 is caused to protrude from the cylinder socket l0 and, at the same time, the inner cylinder 22 and the outer cylinder 24 are both moved back together with the handle.

When the cigarette C is removed from the sliding cylinder 20 after the handle 21 are protruded, it is already lit and can be smoked immediately.

FIG. through FIG. 9, inclusive, show another preferred embodiment wherein a sliding cylinder 30 having a different construction from that of the said sliding cylinder 20 is inserted in the same cylinder socket as shown in the preceding preferred embodiment.

The sliding cylinder 30 has a construction comprising a handle 31, a lid 32 fitted thereto, a metallic inner cylinder 33 connected to the said handle 3!, a heat generator 34 fixed immovably at the forward end of the said inner cylinder, a metallic retaining cylinder 35 fitted externally on the said inner cylinder 33 so as to permit supply of electric current, a coil spring 36 encased in the said retaining cylinder, a collar 37 inserted into the retaining cylinder while keeping contact with the posterior end of the said coil spring, and an outer cylinder 38 held in contact with the posterior surface of the said collar and connected to the said handle. It is assembled in the manner described hereinafter.

The handle 31 is made of an insulative material, has a through hole 31a formed in the axial direction at the center thereof and has the forward end portion thereof shaped into a stepped portion 31b having a reduced diameter. The said lid 32 is pivotally fixed, such as with a pin 32a, on the posterior surface of the said handle 31 freely openably. The lid is so constructed that it exposes the through hole 31a when opened and it conceals the through hole 31a when closed.

The said inner cylinder 33 is made of a metallic material and has the posterior end thereof put on the stepped portion 31b of the said handle 31 and fixed immovably thereto with a screw 39. Inside the said inner cylinder 33, a suitable number of leaf springs 33a are disposed protrudingly so as to seize a cigarette to be inserted into the inner cylinder. Close to the forward end on the outer surface of the inner cylinder, a catching rim 33b is formed protrudingly in the peripheral direction. At the forward outer surface of the catching rim 33b of the said inner cylinder, a plurality of through orifices 330 are bored. At the posterior outer surface of the catching rim 33b, long windows 33d are formed in the axial direction. The orifices 33c and the windows 33d from an air vent.

The said heat generator 34 is composed of a metallic disk heater wire 34b which is disposed slightly innermore inside the inner cylinder 33 than the said heater wire 34b and connected in series with the heater wire 34b and has the end thereof connected to thesaid inner cylinder and which is fonned in the shape of a ring for permitting insertion of the forward end of a cigarette being inserted. The heat generator is so constructed that when the disk 34a is seized by the leaf spring 13 of the cylinder socket 10, a path of electric current is the forward edge of this retaining cylinder, there are formed projections 35a which are brought into contact with the posterior surface of the catching rim 33b of the said inner cylinder. On the periphery of the posterior opening thereof,

there is formed a catching rim 35b bent outwardly so as to be lodged into the opening of the said cylinder socket 10. Furthermore on the outer surface of the retaining cylinder, leafsprings 350 to be pressed against the inner wall of the cylinder socket 10 are formed out of the outer shell of the retaining cylinder.

The said coil spring 36 is encased inside the retaining cylinder 35 and wound around the inner cylinder 33, with the forward end thereof pressed against the inner surface at the forward end of the retaining cylinder.

This said collar 37 is placed over the posterior opening of the said retaining cylinder 35 and fixed on the said retaining cylinder 35. Therefore, the collar 37 is expelled toward the posterior portion of the said retaining cylinder by the force of the coil spring 36 having the inner surface at the forward end of the said retaining cylinder used as a supporting point.

The said outer cylinder 38 is placed over the said inner cylinder, with the posterior end thereof fixed to the said handle 31 and the forward end thereof held in close contact with the said collar 37. The outer cylinder is so constructed that the said collar 37 is pushed in further inside the said retaining cylinder while overcoming the force of the coil spring 36 when the handle is advanced in the direction of the depth of the cylinder socket 10. 7

Therefore, the collar 37 and the outer cylinder 38 may be produced as one inseparable component.

When the sliding cylinder 30 illustrated in the present preferred embodiment is inserted into the cylinder socket, the retaining cylinder 35 is stopped in the cylinder socket 10 by means of the catching rim 35b thereof.

At this time, the leaf springs 350 of the retaining cylinder are pressed against the inner wall of the said cylinder socket and the leaf springs lldand 11d branching from the cylinder 11 of the cylinder socket seize the retaining-cylinder 25 and, consequently, the sliding cylinder is lodged in the cylinder socket in a manner precluding ready removal.

Since the sliding cylinder 30 thus inserted in the cylinder socket 10 has the retaining cylinder thereof fixed in position as illustrated in FIG. 8, the coil spring 36 expels the collar 37 and, consequently, causes the handle 31 and the inner cylinder 33 to move backward.

Then, the lid of the said sliding cylinder 30 is opened to expose the through hole 31a of the handle 31. A cigarette is inserted into the hole and then the handle 31 is pushed further in the direction of the depth of the cylinder socket 10. When this is done, the handle 31 causes the collar 37 to move forward by virtue of the outer cylinder 38. Consequently, the coil spring 36 is compressed, causing the disk 34a of the heat generator 34 at the forward end of the inner cylinder 33 to be seized by the free leaves 13a and 13a of the bimetallic leaf spring 13.

As this condition is assumed, a path for electric current is formed via the leaf springs 13 to the disk 34a and, as a consequence, the heater wires 34b and 34b are caused to generate heat which burns the tip of the cigarette.

At this time, since the heater wires 34b and 34b burn the tip of the cigarette together with the forward end of paper wrapped around the tobacco, ignition is provided sufiiciently and the orifice 33c and the windows 33d of the inner cylinder 33 together from an airpath. Thus, the smoke occurring from the burning is allowed to flow from the airpath through the windows 11c and He in the cylinder 11 of the cylinder socket l0 and, at the same time, fresh air required for burning is supplied amply .through the airpath.

At some time presses after the cigarette has been ignited, the leaf springs 13 are heated so as to cause the free leaves 13a and 13a to open and release the dish 34a.

As the dish is released, the coil spring 36 pushes the collar 37 backward, causing the inner cylinder 33 and the handle 31 to move backward. When the cigarette is removed after the handle has been thrust out, the cigarette is already ignited and can be smoked immediately.

Which the lighter is out of use, the lid 32 is closed so as to conceal the through hole 31a in the handle 31. This is advantageous from the standpoint of appearance. If the lid 32 is closed so as to cover the posterior end of a cigarette which has been inserted in the through hole, the disadvantage of having the posterior end of cigarette broken or otherwise damage can be prevented.

FIG. 10 through FIG. 13 inclusive, illustrate a lighter using a sliding cylinder possessed of a construction different from that of either of the foregoing embodiments.

This sliding cylinder 40 comprises a handle 41, a suitable number of legs 42 extending from the forward end of the handle 41, a heat generator 43 fixed to the forward ends of the said legs 42, a metallic outer cylinder 44 put outwardly to the said handle 41, a metallic retaining cylinder 45 fixed further outwardly to the said outer cylinder 44, and a metallic coil spring 46 encased inside the said retaining cylinder 45.

The said handle 41 is made of an insulative material and has a through hole 41a formed in the axial direction at the center thereof. On the forward end side thereof, the legs 42 are formed so as to extend from the periphery of the through hole The said heat generator 43 is composed of a metallic disk 43:: whichv has the periphery thereof supported by the said legs 42 and is so disposed in front of the said through hole 41a as to conceal the through hole, and a heater wire 435 which is encased in the interior of the said disk 43a. One end of the said heater wire 43b is connected to the said outer cylinder 44.

The said outer cylinder 44 has the posterior end portion thereof fixed outwardly to the forward end of the said handle 41, the barrel portion thereof formed in the shape of a stepped portion having a decreased diameter, and the posterior portion thereof formed in the shapedof a barrel portion 44b of a smaller diameter possessed of a stepped catching rim 44a. At

the forward end thereof, a catching rim 44c formed by bending the cylinder shell outwardly to the posterior of the point at which the said retaining cylinder 45 is placed externally.

The said retaining cylinder 45 is placed extemallyon the said outer cylinder 44 mutually slidably with the outer cylinder. 0n the outer surface at the forward end thereof, grooves 45a are formed in the peripheral direction, whereby a stepped catching portion 45a is formed inside the cylinder. The front side of this stepped catching portion 45a is stopped by the catching rim 44:: of the said outer cylinder.

The said coil spring 46 is encased in side the said retaining cylinder 45 and wound around the said outer cylinder 44, with the forward end thereof pressed against the stepped catching portion 45a of the said retaining cylinder and the posterior end thereof against the stepped catching rim 44a of the said outer cylinder 44 respectively.

In the aforementioned construction, the said legs are desired to be made of metal. If such legs are used, however, they must be so designed as to keep out of contact with the said outer cylinder.

When the sliding cylinder 40 illustrated in the present embodiment is inserted into the cylinder socket 10, the retaining cylinder 45 is lodged in the cylinder socket in the same manner as illustratedin FIG. 1 through FIG. 5, incl.

Since the sliding cylinder 40 inserted in the cylinder socket 10 has the retaining cylinder 45 fixed in position as illustrated in FIG. 12, the coil spring 46 expels the stepped catching rim 44a of the outer cylinder 44 while using the stepped catching portion 45a as a supporting point and,'as a consequence, the outer cylinder 44 and the-,handle 41 are caused to move with the stepped catching portion 45a of the retaining cylinder 45. I

Then, when a cigarette is inserted into the through hole 410 of the said handle 41 and then the handle 4] is pushed further in the direction of the depth of the cylinder socket 10, the coil spring is compressed and the disk 43a of the heat generator is seized by the leaf springs of the cylinder socket.

The heat generator is grounded through the outer cylinder 44, the coil .spring 46, the retaining cylinder 45 and the cylinder 11 of the cylinder socket 10. When it is seized-by the leaf springs 13, therefore, a path of electric current is established to the heater wire 43b causing the heat generator produce heat.

Since the heat generator protrudes out of the retaining cylinder 45 at this time, the space embraced by the legs is connected to thewindows 11c and-11c in the cylinder 11 of the cylinder socket and gives rise to an air path, through which the smoke is discharged and fresh air is supplied.

As some time passes after the heater generator. 43 has lighter of the present invention enables a cigarette to be ignited while in the inserted condition. Therefore, the following advantages are derived from using this light.

Since the automobile driver has only to remove 'the lit cigarette from the handle, he is not required to divert the line of vision from the course of travel for locating the cylinder socket during the operation of automobile. As he can light his cigarette while keeping the line of vision at all times to the course of travel, he is protected from possible danger otherwise involved.

As a lit cigarette can be taken out of the handle, thereis no need for wasting time in removing. the lighter from the cylinder socket and then returning it to the original position after use. I

Thus, the use of lighter is rendered extremely easy..

While this invention has been described with reference to some preferred'embodiments, various changes and modifications thereof will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

What is claimed is: v

1. An instrument board lighter for use by automobile passengers, comprising a cylinder socket and a sliding cylinder, said cylinder socket comprising a metallic cylinder having an opening at one .end and an insulating base at the other end, a bimetallic leaf spring disposed on said insulating base and insulated from said cylinder and having a plurality of opposed free leaves protruding therefrom toward the opening in said cylinder, said free leaves being bent so that the distance therebetween will be expanded upon the application of heat, a connection means for connecting said leaf spring to a power source said sliding cylinder comprising an insulative handle having a through hole formed in the axial direction at the center, a plurality of legs fixed immovably at the forward end of said handle and extending in the direction of the anterior portion portion of said handle, a metallic outer cylinder fitted externally to said legs and fixed immovably at the forward end backward. At this point,. the outer cylinder moves.

backward until the catching rim 44c comes into engagement fixed at the forward end of said legs in such a manner as to have the peripheral portion thereof supported by said leg pieces and a heater wire encased in said disc and having one end thereof connected to said disc and the other end to said outer cylinder respectively, a metallic retaining cylinderarranged for permitting said outer cylinder to be insertedfreely slidably, with an electrical connection retained to the outer cylinder, and to be brought into close engagement with said cylinder socket, and a spring encased in said retaining cylinder for biasing said outer cylinder and said handle inthe backward direction. 

1. An instrument board lighter for use by automobile passengers, comprising a cylinder socket and a sliding cylinder, said cylinder socket comprising a metallic cylinder having an opening at one end and an insulating base at the other end, a bimetallic leaf spring disposed on said insulating base and insulated from said cylinder and having a plurality of opposed free leaves protruding therefrom toward the opening in said cylinder, said free leaves being bent so that the distance therebetween will be expanded upon the application of heat, a connection means for connecting said leaf spring to a power source , said sliding cylinder comprising an insulative handle having a through hole formed in the axial direction at the center, a plurality of legs fixed immovably at the forward end of said handle and extending in the direction of the anterior portion portion of said handle, a metallic outer cylinder fitted externally to said legs and fixed immovably at the forward end of said handle, a heat generator composed of a metallic disc fixed at the forward end of said legs in such a manner as to have the peripheral portion thereof supported by said leg pieces and a heater wire encased in said disc and having one end thereof connected to said disc and the other end to said outer cylinder respectively, a metallic retaining cylinder arranged for permitting said outer cylinder to be inserted freely slidably, with an electrical connection retained to the outer cylinder, and to be brought into close engagement with said cylinder socket, and a spring encased in said retaining cylinder for biasing said outer cylinder and said handle in the backward direction. 